Build a Model of Your Watershed

Introduction to Topography

Topography: the study of physical features on land and in the ocean

Topographic map: a map showing the physical features of an area; also called a contour map

Contour lines: a line on a map that connects all points of the same elevation (or depth) in a particular area

Contour interval: the distance between contour lines
Map scale: the relationship (or ratio) between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground